D-27: what goes here?

At the end of my Dana 27 axel shafts, there is a groove cut around the perimiter as if there were supposed to be a spring clip or something similar. after tearing down 2 D27s I have found nothing in these groves on either one.

1. what is supposed to go there?
2. does anyone have any spares? (need 2)
3. if not does anyone know a source?
4. if nothing else can someone post a pic of what they look like?

Thanks for your help.

 

both side of mine have it also, they are for the snap rings that secure the front locking hubs. i noticed them when i installed new warns on my 71 about a month ago. new locking hub kits come with these snap rings.

 

Yup the stub axels that go through the hubs, just where the axel is visible under the hub there is a ring groove. without a clip or something in that groove, the axel is free to move in and out about half an inch, that can't be good.

 

After shimming my hubs for the disc swap mine would no go back on so I just left em out...


BUBBA

 

do you still have them? I need 2

 

not sure you really need them, the vast majority of the ones you tear down don't have them on, neither one of my dana 27's had them on there.

 

The good news: they're cheap.


Krage has 'em:

The not-so-good news: it does require a special tool to put 'em on & take 'em off...about $15-$20.

Might be able to rent it at AutoZone. I bought the above pictured tool and have used it countless times. HTH.
-Alan

 

Hippo: thanks I found them on Krage's site last night, order is going out today. luckily I have a set of snap ring pliars.

Mike: by the design I would have said they were unnecessary, but when I took out my axel it had some wear in the splines on the end that goes into the carrier. I believe this is from moving back and forth under strain, not something I want to continue. the hubs I have on it now leave plenty of room for the rings soooooo....

Thanks everybody...

 

The snap ring is meant to control "end float " or the positioning of the axle U-joint in relation to the pivoting axis of the steering knuckle. At least that is what I was told by an old Jeep mechanic.